After breakfast, they got back in the saddle and kept up a steady pace to make up for lost time. William didn't complain, but Alex was fairly certain he was starting to feel pain in his legs and ass. Still, they couldn't stop; they had to reach the hunting ground before sunset.

He guided Tempest close to the mage. "Do you think you can make it?"

"Of course."

Alex raised an eyebrow. "It's your first ride, it's normal to feel some pain—"

William shot him a sharp glance. "We can't stop. What's the point of worrying about it?"

"It's just a courtesy." His embarrassed reaction at the inn had almost made Alex forget how cold the mage could be. "But if you don't want me to worry about you, I won't."

"I don't see why you should. You're the prince."

"And you are my Court Mage."

William looked him in the eye. "Really? Because I remember you telling me to go away from court. Have you changed your mind?"

"Not at all, but…"

But the thought of never speaking to him again made him feel somewhat sad. By the spirits, had his father manipulated him into wanting the mage's company? Or had it been William all along?

He gave him a suspicious look, and the mage squinted back.

"Why are you staring at me?"

"Earlier, when… when I grabbed your arms, did you happen to…" He paused. How could he even ask? "Did you feel anything?"

"No."

Alex raised an eyebrow. It was too blunt to be true; he hadn't even thought about it. "You're a terrible liar."

William pressed his lips together, and a strange shadow flickered in his eyes. "I'd rather not answer. Is that a problem for you?"

"Yes, actually. Because I felt something, and I'd like to know what it was."

"Nothing dangerous."

"Did you cast some spell on me?"

William pressed his lips more tightly. "Of course not."

"Then why do I—" Alex bit his tongue. Was he really going to say out loud that he was starting to enjoy his company? "Nothing, it's not important."

It was just embarrassing.

William stared at him for several seconds.

"Now you're the terrible liar." He turned his gaze forward. "If I were ever to cast a spell on you, I assure you that you'd notice."

Alex let out a small sigh of relief. Fortunately, the topic had changed. "So it's not magic?"

"It is magic. Its essence."

"But I'm not a mage. I shouldn't be able to sense it."

"You sense mine."

Alex frowned. That was a lie. "That's impossible. I know another mage. We've been friends since childhood, and I've never sensed his magic."

William lowered his gaze to the reins.

"I don't know what to tell you, Your Highness," he murmured.

Another lie. Would he have told the truth if Alex had demanded it? Probably, but the prince hated to use his authority to extract confessions.

The mage looked back at him. "You are not in danger. I can assure you. And once I am gone, you won't sense anything anymore."

Alex tightened the reins. That was fair—he didn't want to be bound to a stranger.

He lifted his gaze toward the tree canopy intertwining above their heads and the pale wisteria buds hanging from the branches. They were still closed and small, and their fragrance was faint.

Ahead of them, bathed in the warm afternoon light, the road wound through the gentle hills and groves of Astya, one of the few regions under the direct administration of the crown. They were almost there. Soon, the castle would come into view.

Alex couldn't wait to dismount, stretch his legs, and take a hot bath. He wondered if the bathing chambers were available… and if the mage would keep him company or if he would end up talking to himself.

He turned to William to ask, but caught a silver flash among the foliage.

He grabbed the mage by the sleeve and pulled him close.

The arrow whistled past them, barely missing, and lodged in a nearby tree trunk. The tingling crawled along his skin once more, but this was not the time to interrogate William.

"Ambush!"